Dentists & Physicians

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Training Grants Sponsored by NIDCR

  • Notice of Special Interest: Administrative Supplements to Support Dentist Scientists Post Specialty or Residency to Develop Expertise in Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research
    The program will provide supplemental funds to active NIDCR research grants to support mentored research experiences for outstanding early career dentist-scientists who have recently completed dental specialty or residency training. The program is intended to accelerate the candidate’s transition from primarily clinical activities to predominantly research activities by protected time to develop or update research skills, formulate a research career plan, generate preliminary data and seek independent funding. Related Announcement: PA-20-272: Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional).
  • Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) and participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announce the continuation of the program for administrative supplements to research grants to support individuals with high potential to re-enter an active research career after an interruption for family responsibilities or other qualifying circumstances. The purpose of these supplements is to encourage such individuals to re-enter research careers within the missions of all the program areas of NIH. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals to update their existing research skills and knowledge.
  • Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    Provides research training and career development support for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funding is awarded to principal investigators on active NIDCR grants who will serve as mentors for the diversity supplement candidates. The activities proposed in the supplement application must provide research training experiences that will facilitate the research and career development of the candidate. Eligibility is limited to citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or to individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (i.e., in possession of a Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551). Individuals interested in diversity supplement support may contact the NIDCR Training Director  . For individuals interested in finding an NIDCR funded mentor, see How to Find a Mentor. For preparing an application, see NIDCR guidance on preparing diversity supplement applications.

    In addition, this supplement opportunity is available to PD(s)/PI(s) of research grants who are or become disabled and need additional support to accommodate their disability in order to continue to work on the research project. Individuals interested in this supplement support may contact the NIDCR Training Director  .

  • Notice of Special Interest to Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for PA-20-222: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    This notice is part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis. The NIH HEAL Initiative (see https://heal.nih.gov) is a trans-NIH effort to (1) improve prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction and (2) enhance pain management.

    Only existing awards funded or supplemented by the HEAL Initiative are eligible for diversity supplements under this NOSI.

    Application Due Date(s) –February 15, 2024, and May 15, 2024 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

  • Notice of Special Interest: Administrative Supplements to Promote Research Continuity and Retention of NIH Mentored Career Development (K) Award Recipients and Scholars
    The goal of this program is to support the transition and retention of investigators from mentored career development to research independence and to minimize departures from biomedical research workforce at this critical juncture. The supplement may be used to support additional personnel, computational services, supplies, and equipment that will promote the continuity of the career development research project during a period in which the PD/PI experiences critical life events which have the potential to impact research progress or potential productivity. Administrative supplements must support work within the scope of the original project. For the purposes of this program, childbirth, adoption, and primary caregiving responsibilities of an ailing spouse, child, partner, or a member of the immediate family during the project period are critical life events that would qualify for consideration. Evidence that the circumstance may affect advancement of the mentored career development award or productivity must be provided. In circumstances in which the critical life event is pending and is expected to occur during the project period, the supplement request may be submitted in advance of the event. The application budget cannot exceed a maximum direct cost of $50,000, applicable F & A (indirect) cost can also be requested. PD/PIs of the following activity codes are eligible for the award: K01, K07, K08, K22, K23, K25, K38, K43, K76, and K99/R00 (on the mentored K99 portion of the K99/R00).
  • NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Clinical Trial Required)
  • NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

  • NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    The purpose of this award is to enhance the diversity of the independently funded dental, oral and craniofacial research workforce by providing mentored research experiences for eligible postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty who are from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in the basic and clinical biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences. This award provides salary and research support for a sustained period of “protected time” (3-5 years) of intensive research career development under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The expectation is that, through this sustained period of research career development and training, awardees will launch independent research careers and become competitive for new research project grant (e.g., R01) funding or other sources of independent research support. Applicants must have a sponsoring institution and mentor. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of award.

  • Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)
  • Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
    NIDCR uses the K01 to support re-entry of individuals into the dental, oral and craniofacial research workforce whose active research careers have been interrupted by family responsibilities or other qualifying circumstances (see NOT-DE-16-001). The purpose of this award is to provide support and protected time (3-5 years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. The expectation is that, through this sustained period of research career development and training, awardees will be competitive for independent research project grant (e.g., R01) funding, or other sources of independent research support. The applicant's academic background, previous experience, and career goals should determine both the length and content of the proposed career development program. Applicants must have a sponsoring institution and mentor. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of award.
  • Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
  • Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
    The purpose of the NIDCR K08 is to prepare promising dentists or other clinicians for careers in dental, oral and craniofacial health research. The award provides support and protected time at a minimum of 75% effort time for an intensive three to five years of supervised research experience that integrates didactic studies with mentored basic biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research. NIDCR encourages dentists to use this award to pursue a program that includes didactic and supervised research experiences that result in the Ph.D. degree. Candidates may devote the remaining 25% effort not supported by the award to clinical activities, including specialty training, that are consistent with goals of the K08 program. An expectation of the K08 award is that, through this sustained period of research career development and training, awardees will launch independent research careers and become competitive for new research project grant (e.g., R01) funding or other sources of independent research support. Applicants must have a sponsoring institution and mentor. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of award.
  • NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

  • NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Required)
  • NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)
    The NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22) program provides highly-qualified dentists in NIH Intramural postdoctoral fellowship positions with an opportunity to receive further mentored research experience in the NIH Intramural program, and then provides them with independent funding to facilitate the transition of their research programs as new investigators at extramural institutions. The first phase of the K22 award provides support for continuing the mentored intramural postdoctoral training for up to two years. Following the mentored phase, the individual may request up to 3 years of support to conduct research as an independent scientist at an extramural sponsoring institution/organization to which the individual has been recruited, been offered and has accepted a tenure-track (or equivalent) full-time assistant professor position (or equivalent). This support is to allow the individual to continue to work toward establishing his/her own independent research program and prepare an application for an NIH research project grant (R01 or equivalent).
  • Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
  • Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
    Supports three to five years of supervised study for clinically trained professionals with a doctoral degree to pursue training in patient-oriented research. Such degrees include but are not limited to the M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., O.D., D.C., PharmD, ND (Doctor of Naturopathy), as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research or practice. Candidates with Ph.D. degrees are eligible for this award if the degree is in a clinical field and they usually perform clinical duties. Patient-oriented research is defined as research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects. This area of research includes: 1) mechanisms of human disease; 2) therapeutic interventions; 3) clinical trials, and; 4) the development of new technologies.

    Candidates must have a sponsoring institution and mentor. Salary, fringe benefits, and training-related expenses are provided. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of award.

  • Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

  • Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
    The purpose of the Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award is to provide research support and protected time (three to five years) to an early career research scientist from a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) who holds a junior faculty position at an LMIC academic or research institution, as defined by the World Bank (including “low-income,” “lower-middle-income,” and “upper-middle-income” countries). This intensive, mentored research career development experience is expected to lead to an independently funded research career at the LMIC institution or in another LMIC. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications from LMIC scientists from any health-related discipline who propose career development activities and a research project that is relevant to the health priorities of their country under the mentorship of LMIC and U.S. mentors. NICDR participates in the K43 program and invites applications from LMIC scientists who propose career development activities and a research project that aligns with a dental, oral and craniofacial extramural research grant program and the NIDCR Strategic Plan.

  • Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required (BESH))
  • Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    The purpose of the MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) program is to support a cohort of early career, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds conducting research in NIH mission areas. The long-term goal of this program is to enhance diversity in the biomedical research workforce. The MOSAIC K99/R00 program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g., see NIH’s Interest in Diversity) from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions at research-intensive institutions. The MOSAIC K99/R00 program will provide independent NIH research support before and after this transition to help awardees launch successful, independent research careers. Additionally, MOSAIC K99/R00 scholars will be part of organized scientific cohorts and will be expected to participate in mentoring, networking, and professional development activities coordinated by MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5) grantees.
  • NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

  • NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required)
  • NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)
    NIDCR is also sponsoring a K99/R00 award program limited to dentist-scientists possessing both a D.D.S./D.M.D. clinical degree and a Ph.D. (or equivalent) research degree. This program is similar to the standard NIH-wide K99/R00 program, but has several unique features. For this award mechanism, the mentored K99 phase is required to last two full years--no early activations of the R00 phase will be permitted. In addition, awardees who are offered independent positions in a U.S. dental school in conjunction with a dental specialty training program will be allowed to request up to 5 years of R00 phase support. In such cases, the specialty training program must be structured so that no more than the equivalent of 3 calendar person months (i.e. 25% effort) in any year is devoted to clinical activities; at least the equivalent of 9 calendar person months (i.e. 75% effort) each year must comprise protected research time.

    NIDCR will not provide funding for the clinical specialty training; the dental school hiring the R00 awardee will be expected to support such training. Letters specifying this commitment will be required as part of the application to transition to the R00 phase. Dual degree dentist scientists who do not intend to pursue specialty training or those who complete the mentored postdoctoral phase and then elect not to participate in specialty training are still eligible for this award, but are limited to three years of R00 support.

    Dentists who have used a previous NIDCR-funded K08 or K23 award to earn the Ph.D. degree are also eligible for the dentist-scientist K99/R00 award mechanism. Such applicants must have completed the Ph.D. before applying. All other eligibility requirements and conditions of the K99/R00 mechanism apply.

  • NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
  • NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
    This two-phase award provides the opportunity for promising postdoctoral scientists to receive both mentored and independent research support from the same award. The initial 1-2 year mentored phase will allow investigators to complete their supervised research work, publish results, and search for an independent research position. The second, independent phase, years 3-5, will allow awardees who secure an assistant professorship, or equivalent position, to establish their own research program and successfully apply for an NIH Investigator-Initiated (R01) grant. Outstanding postdoctoral candidates who have terminal clinical or research doctorates (or equivalent doctoral degrees) and who have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research training at the time of initial application, or subsequent resubmission(s) are eligible. Former principal investigators of NIH Small Grants (R03) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21) are not eligible for this award.

    The NIDCR welcomes applications from postdoctoral scientists seeking to establish an independent research career in social, behavioral, biomedical, and biological science fields relevant to the NIDCR Strategic Plan. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a career in oral health research.

    For more details regarding the Pathway to Independence Award, see the NIH extramural training website.

  • Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32)
    Provides up to three years support for trainees at academic institutions to broaden their scientific background or extend their potential for research in health-related areas. Applicants must have a doctoral degree. The stipend ranges depending on years of postdoctoral experience. Additional funds are available for other training related expenses.

    Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of award. Individuals who already have a clinical dental degree and who are pursuing a Ph.D. or equivalent research doctoral degree at an accredited US graduate program are eligible to apply for the F32 award to support their Ph.D. training. The F32 provides support for research and related coursework and career development activities. No clinical activities are permitted for the duration of the F32 award.

    (Note that individuals in a dual degree D.D.S.-D.M.D./Ph.D. training program whose training has been supported by an F30 fellowship or T32 DSTP trainee appointment are not eligible to transition to the F32 to support completion of the Ph.D. degree, but must remain in a predoctoral status until both degrees are obtained).

  • National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants (T32, T90/R90)
    NIDCR provides funds to institutions across the country to train postdoctoral fellows who wish to pursue careers in dental, oral and craniofacial health research. Postdoctoral trainees should contact the training director(s) at the institution(s) of interests to inquire about available opportunities. T32 and T90 trainees must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.  The R90 component of T90/R90 programs is dedicated to supporting non-citizen dentists.
  • NIDCR Dental Specialty and Ph.D. Program (DSPP) (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
    The NIDCR DSPP supports the development of outstanding dual degree dentists-scientists (K12 “Scholars”) through an integrated program of advanced clinical training in a recognized dental specialty and supervised research training leading to a Ph.D. in biomedical or behavioral science, or in another field applicable to dental, oral and craniofacial research. The combined program is expected to accelerate the process of early career dentist scientists in achieving competencies in both clinical and research areas and facilitate their transition to independent and productive research careers dedicated to improving dental, oral and craniofacial health.  Eligible Scholars must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-citizen nationals. This program allows the appointment of Scholars proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor, as part of their research and career development experience.

    See current NIDCR Institutional K12 Dental Specialty and Ph.D. Programs (DSPP) for information about active DSPP programs, including brief descriptions of the dental specialty programs and the research training opportunities offered at each K12 institution, and contact information. Dentists interested in a program should contact the Program Director or other designated individual to inquire about available opportunities.

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Training at NIDCR (on the NIH campus)

  • Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2)
    Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program supports the research activities during the early stage careers of independent clinical researchers. The program offers the opportunity for a unique bridge between the NIH intramural and extramural research communities and contains two phases. In the first phase, Lasker scholars will receive appointments for up to 5-7 years as tenure-track investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program with independent research budgets. In the second phase, successful scholars will be eligible to apply for up to 5 years of NIH support for their research at an extramural research facility; or, the scholar can be considered to remain as an investigator within the intramural program. Eligible applicants include physicians and dentists (including M.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., RN/Ph.D., or equivalent clinical doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution) who have a professional license to practice clinically in the U.S. For more information, contact Dr. Janice Lee at (301) 827-1647.

  • NIDCR Dental Clinical Research Fellowship
    This is a two-year or greater full-time program designed to train dentists in the latest clinical, translational and basic research methodologies. Qualified applicants hold a D.D.S./D.M.D. or equivalent dental clinical degree and a demonstrated interest in dental/oral/craniofacial research as evidenced by prior research experience, typically masters or doctoral level education beyond clinical training. Projects are designed to facilitate translational research in which clinical research projects are conducted that complement basic science laboratory projects. Fellows are provided with a stipend and may be eligible for NIH Loan Repayment Programs. For more information contact Dr. Janice Lee at (301) 827-1647.
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships
    Various positions are available at the NIDCR/NIH in Bethesda, Maryland to train professionals with a Ph.D. and/or a D.D.S., D.M.D., M.D., or D.V.M. Applicants must be within five years of their graduation date and have less than five years previous postdoctoral experience to apply. Stipend amounts depend on the level of experience and the type of positions available. Prospective applicants can view current NIH postdoctoral openings and contact individual NIDCR laboratories of interest to identify future research positions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens may apply.
  • Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships (VF)
    Postdoctoral positions are available at the NIDCR/NIH in Bethesda, Maryland to train professionals from all non-U.S. countries with a Ph.D. and/or a D.D.S., D.M.D., M.D., or D.V.M. Applicants must be within five years of receiving their graduate degree and have less than five years of relevant previous postdoctoral experience to apply. The stipends for postdoctoral Visiting Fellows are adjusted yearly, and benefits include health insurance for the trainee and his/her family. Prospective applicants can view current NIH postdoctoral openings and contact individual NIDCR laboratories of interest to identify future research positions. Citizens of all non-U.S. countries may apply.
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Last Reviewed
December 2023